Pushback against smart meters continues to grow across the U.S.

A vocal coalition of Michiganders is taking to the streets — and their local city council meetings — to oppose the growing intrusion of privacy and personal safety with state utility companies transitioning to “smart” meters. Reports indicate that thousands of folks have already opted out, and new legislation is pending to make these opt-outs cheaper and less penalizing.

More than 150 people from across Michigan packed a committee hearing for the new bill, known as H.B. 4220, that would cap the amount of money that utility companies are allowed to charge monthly for customers who choose to keep their old meters. H.B. 4220 would also prohibit utility companies from charging any more than the actual amount it costs to remove a smart meter and convert it back to a traditional meter.